Patents Assigned to Signature Control Systems
  • Patent number: 6855791
    Abstract: A process for curing a natural or synthetic rubber includes the measuring of curing conditions by dielectric or impedance means to produce a process curve (impedance property data versus time) followed by analyzing the process curve with a software algorithm which defines and statistically quantifies the correlation between the process curve and the desired part properties. The correlation relationship is applied in real time to end the curing process at the optimum time and to produce rubber parts of uniform quality and with reduced process cycle time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Signature Control Systems
    Inventors: John C. Van Doren, Richard Magill, Bruce Sellers, Tim Erickson, Scott Schnieder, Steve Courington, Lance Bethel
  • Patent number: 6774643
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing the state of a dielectric material is disclosed. The dielectric material is determined to be in a state, S, by determining a similarity or dissimilarity between: (a) a first set of impedance values derived from excitation of a capacitor having the dielectric material disposed between electrodes for the capacitor, and (b) a second set of predetermined corresponding impedance values indicative of the state S. For each of a plurality of electrical frequencies, there are corresponding impedance values in the first and second sets. Each such impedance values is one of a conductance and a capacitance value for the dielectric material. Thus, within a time period sufficiently short so that the dielectric material is expected to remain in a same state throughout the time period, each of the electrical frequencies is used to excite the capacitor, and corresponding response impedance values are derived that provide an impedance “snap shot” of the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Signature Control Systems
    Inventor: Richard W. Magill
  • Publication number: 20040133301
    Abstract: A process for curing a natural or synthetic rubber includes the measuring of curing conditions by dielectric or impedance means to produce a process curve (impedance property data versus time) followed by analyzing the process curve with a software algorithm which defines and statistically quantifies the correlation between the process curve and the desired part properties. The correlation relationship is applied in real time to end the curing process at the optimum time and to produce rubber parts of uniform quality and with reduced process cycle time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Signature Control Systems
    Inventors: John C. Van Doren, Richard Magill, Bruce Sellers, Tim Erickson, Scott Schneider, Steve Courington, Lance Bethel
  • Publication number: 20040010068
    Abstract: A process for curing a natural or synthetic rubber includes the measuring of curing conditions by dielectric or impedance means to produce a process curve (impedance property data versus time) followed by analyzing the process curve with a software algorithm which defines and statistically quantifies the correlation between the process curve and the desired part properties. The correlation relationship is applied in real time to end the curing process at the optimum time and to produce rubber parts of uniform quality and with reduced process cycle time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: Signature Control Systems
    Inventors: John C. Van Doren, Richard Magill, Bruce Sellers, Tim Erickson, Scott Schnieder, Steve Courington, Lance Bethel
  • Patent number: 6600971
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a distributed control network for irrigation management. The system incorporates several irrigation controllers wherein each of the controllers can transmit, receive and respond to commands initiated by any device or satellite controller on the network, a communication bus that is connected to the controllers, a central computer that is connected to the bus, several sensing devices that are connected to each controller, and several sprinkler valves that are connected to each controller. The controllers can be operated in local mode via a user interface and in a remote mode via a wireless connection. The controllers are capable of monitoring and acknowledging the commands that are transmitted on the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Signature Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Smith, Eric Schafer